Shoe shank support



Sept. 15, 1931; I s. RICHMOND SHOE SHANK SUPPORT Filed March 24, 1928gwmantoz Samue/ R c/rmand (1 ttozmq in theouter sole and metal shankPatented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAMUEL RICHMOND, OFBATAVIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TI-IE EDWARDS MAN UFAC'IUR- ING COMPANY, OFCINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO SHOE SHANK SUPPORT Applicationfiled March 24, 1928. Serial No. 264,392.

This invention relates to an improved form of metal shank support foruse in arch supporting types of Womens shoes and has for an object theprovision of a support of this kind which eliminates the necessity forsupporting or padding the space between the insole and outer sole at theforward end of the arch.

Another object is to provide a device of this kind which resilientlyretains the insole of a shoe in spaced relation to the shank metal atthe forward end of the arch.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein anddisclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a metal shank support of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the device shown in Fig. 1, partbeing broken away.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental cross sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified form ofconstruction for the metal shank support.

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of another modified form of the metal shanksupport of the invention. I

' In arch supporting types of womens shoes there is employed a metalshank support which extends from the top of the heel, along beneath thearch and terminates at the forward end of the arch. The metal shanksupport is given any desired formation and has the outer sole of theshoe molded over it. This provides a somewhat abrupt angle for the outersole, whilst, the inner sole must assume a relatively fiat or long curvefrom the heel'to' the front of the sole. It has heretofore been commonpractice to insert small flattened pyramidal pieces of leather or othermaterial in order to suitably support the insole adjacent the abruptangle support.

As indicated in Fig. 1 the shank 6 may be suitably formed, for exampleV-shaped in crosssection and flat at the rear 7. The forward end 8 isformed or dished so as to provide a relatively fiat portion '9 angularlyconnecting at 10 and 11 with the angularly disposed sides 12 and 13 ofthe shank 6. The structure thus far described is typical of metal shanksupports heretofore used. In the present invention a formed plate 14 ismade integral with the forward portion of the metal shank support and isturned over thehollow portion 15 with the edges 16 of said plate 14spaced slightly from the sides 12 and 13 of the shank and forward end 9except for the integral connection 17 As shown in Fig. 1 the turned overconnection 17 is between the portion 9 and the plate 14. In the modifiedform shown in Fig. 5 the integral turned over connection 17 is betweenthe edge of the side 13 of the shank and the plate 14. The metal beingresilientandtempered permits of a yielding limited movement betweenplate 14 and the remainder of the metal shank support, so that an insoleresting upon the top portion of the shank and plate 14 thereof may yieldslightly under the weight of a wearer of the shoe, thereby providing asmooth and slightly yielding support for the insole. The use of metalshank supports as disclosed herein eliminates the necessity forinserting and securingpieces of leather and the like in the hollow-15 asheretofore done, and provides a more durable and reliable shoeconstruction. p

In the modified form shown inFig. 4 the top portion 140 corresponding tothe plate 14 in the previously described embodiments is formedcontinuous with the sides 12 and 18 of the shank, while the portion 90is turned under and corresponds with the portion 9 of the previouslydescribed support. This modification comprises in general a practicalreversal ofthe plate portion and assumes a spaced position to providethe resiliency just explained. The connection 17 may be at any of theedges of the forward portion of the shank support.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the entire structureshown in any of the embodiments may be stamped from a single sheet ofmetal and formed to provide the essential features described andsubsequently the plate portions 14 or 90 may be turned to position.

With the structures of this kind the process of manufacture of shoes ofthe type referred to is speeded up and greater uniformity is attainedfor the insole portion of the shoe. Inasmuch asa difference in thesupport of the insole at the front-ofthe arch is very noticeable to thewearer, it will be appreciated that superior goods are obtainable withthe present device and that the yielding orvresilient portion providescomfort'to the wearer which was heretofore not attainable in ShOBs ofthis type.

What is claimed is:

1. An arch supporting shank metal hav ing a dished forward portion andan inte gral oppositely dished coincident plate spaced therefrom andhaving a restricted portion connecting therewith.

2. As a new article of ,manuffacture a metal shank supporting memberhaving a dished portion and a resiliently mounted,

superposed, oppositely dished, integralfportion.

3. As anew article of manufacture a metal shank support for shoes havinga downwardly dished forward end over. which anouter sole may be moldedand an integral resilient member spaced from the dished portion.

4.'As a new article of manufacture an arch supporting shank metalcomprising at its forward end resiliently spaced integral oppositelydished disk-like portions for abutment with the inner and outer soles ofa shoe.

5'. An arch supportingshank metal comprising a sheet metal body enlargedat its forward end and having, a dished portion over which an outer solemay be molded and a superposed oppositely dished memberintegraltherewith and resiliently retained in spaced relationthereto. I

6. A shank for insertion within a shoe between the ,outsole and theinsole thereof comprising an elongated ribbed body portion withan'extension b'entback and spaced from'thefront end of the body andprovidingaaresilient pad-shaped support.

i7; A shank for insertion within a shoe comprising an elongated bodyportion having an extension shaped as a pad, said pad being bent towardthe body portion, and

being resiliently connected with said shank. In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of March,

1928.v v SAMUEL RICHMOND.

